After turning 65 this year I went to the County Tax Collectors office to file for 65 and over home owners exemption. It's at the County Appraisal Administration office building. I went in the outer doors which had no firearms signs of any kind. After entering there is a security guard and a walk through scanner. No signs of any kind pertaining to guns. My wife went through the scanner without any problems. She put her purse on the table next to the scanner before going through. Before I went through I told the security guard I had a CHL and was carrying. He looked at me as though he didn't understand what I was talking about. I repeated it again. He then said, okay go ahead through the scanner. I did and of course the alarm sounded. He then used his wand and located my gun in my pocket. I said, that's it! He asked to see my license to carry. I showed to him and he compared the photo to my face and said, we don't allow guns. I said, okay I'm sorry and I'll take it and lock it up in my car and be right back. He didn't say anything so I walked out and went back to my car and locked it up. Went back in and and he waved me around the scanner without further incident. The security guard barely spoke English and acted like he really didn't know what he was doing. He could have told me no guns allowed before having me go through the scanner. And even though they might not be required to post signs it sure would be nice if they did anyway. I also thought it was stupid of him to wave me around the scanner when I returned. Maybe he liked looking at my wife that was standing there next to him waiting for my return.
I guess being a tax collector is a dangerous job.
As far as I know there aren't any courts in this building. I'm glad we were the only people coming in to the building at the time. The folks in the tax collectors office which was just steps from the door were exceptionally nice and helpful. I guess it could have been worse. Probably lucky it was just a security guard and not a Sheriff. I guess they wouldn't waste a Sheriff standing watch over the tax collectors office. When I first saw the scanner I should have just turned around and went back to my car to lock up the gun. Lesson learned for sure. If the word "County" is on the building, leave your gun in the car.